Headscarf Controversy Sparked by Annual President's Party

October 31, 2003

Source: The Christian Science Monitor

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1031/p08s02-woeu.html

On October 31, 2003 The Christian Science Monitor ran an article on a controversy over the hijab sparked by Turkey's annual president's party celebrating the anniversary of the republic: "While foreign diplomats and opposition lawmakers - pillars of Turkey's Westernized and staunchly pro-secular elite - were invited to bring their spouses, male members of the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) were asked to leave their wives at home. The reason? Most wear head scarves, legally forbidden in universities and public offices around the country. AKP deputies were far from alone in deploring the president's decision."